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The Mainline => Kit Building => Topic started by: ak-milw on December 21, 2016, 08:14:23 PM

Title: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 21, 2016, 08:14:23 PM
This will be the last large structure for the town of Mauston. Like most small towns in the Midwest Mauston has it's share of old Victorian houses, I just had to have this one for mine.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1941.jpg&hash=d6d92c50da97162ab80612e49ad2fef9e6ff4937)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: S&S RR on December 21, 2016, 10:30:50 PM
Andy


Nice looking structure - I will be following along.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ACL1504 on December 22, 2016, 08:54:09 AM
Andy,

Looking forward to your build and seeing what you do with the tower house.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: GPdemayo on December 22, 2016, 09:18:31 AM
Neat looking kit Andy.....looking forward to your build.  :)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: deemery on December 22, 2016, 09:55:58 AM
I'll be very interested in watching this, too.  I have this kit and a couple others from the same manufacturer.  When I looked at the parts, at times I thought the kit looked a bit "crude" and would need some extra attention in finishing.


dave
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 22, 2016, 07:25:20 PM
Thanks for looking in all!

Dave, right you are, I have built two other kits by this company and they do need a little help. There is no bracing provided and the self stick pieces don't really, they need a little glue to help them stay in place. The other kits had pre-molded plastic shingle roofs, they were much to be desired. This kit they give you laser cut shingles. I just liked the look of the building so any extra things I have to do to it will be worth it. I will be getting into this as soon as I have my station details finished and on the layout, hopefully this weekend.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 24, 2016, 02:08:29 PM
There are to many parts to get them all in one photo, so here are the wall sections. I am going to go against my nature and try to build this one close to the instructions. No bracing came with the kit so I am on my own here.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1942.jpg&hash=5b5a3bf3121f0ff74141df40c3e2e4c0ea764a93)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 26, 2016, 05:25:18 PM
First section all braced, painted black inside and assembled. The next section pieces all cleaned up and ready for bracing.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1946.jpg&hash=64293154237d552e46c1ecf7ad2ec253bd9626f5)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: tom.boyd.125 on December 26, 2016, 08:15:53 PM
Andy,
Never purchased any kits form this company so will check out your product review build thread of this neat Victorian structure kit.
Tommy
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: postalkarl on December 27, 2016, 07:38:09 AM
Hi Andy:

Looks like you are off to a good start. Looking forward to your build.

Karl
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ACL1504 on December 27, 2016, 08:58:42 AM
Andy,

Ditto to the others, I'm following the progress also. I'm not a fan of peel and stick windows either. The older Master Creations kits had them and I always added a little glue to the peel and stick.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Powersteamguy1790 on December 27, 2016, 05:01:48 PM
Looking good so far Andy. :) 8)

Stay cool and run steam........ 8) 8)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 27, 2016, 08:30:51 PM
thanks guy's for stopping in.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 28, 2016, 08:51:55 PM
Section two added, next the tower.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1947.jpg&hash=eb09107702c49f78cdf27a6835f97a69555174dc)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Dave K. on December 28, 2016, 10:53:06 PM
Following along, and nice job so far. One thing I don't like about their kits is the stick-on veneer strips in lieu of actual corner trim. Build on! 👍🏻
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 29, 2016, 07:21:03 AM
Quote from: Dave K. on December 28, 2016, 10:53:06 PM
Following along, and nice job so far. One thing I don't like about their kits is the stick-on veneer strips in lieu of actual corner trim. Build on! 👍🏻

I am with you on that Dave. I always use a little glue to help hold those on.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on December 30, 2016, 11:24:33 PM
Tower has been installed, section four is the rear kitchen extension.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1948.jpg&hash=a84c7c3c52ad40e818a3bbbca5ea0dfd5accbb96)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 01, 2017, 01:12:06 PM
The extension has been added to the back, If you look close at the wall between the extension and the door opening you can see a thin strip of siding. The opening for the extension was laser cut to the wrong side of center or the back wall was cut to short, so I had to break out a piece and then fill the whole back in. You can also see the base color for the house, Folk Art #402 light blue.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1949.jpg&hash=019c842c09c996354dd6abbd814a58160cbb9320)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 01, 2017, 05:39:16 PM
And now it's blue.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1950.jpg&hash=473231672f29d413ce2ee4feea66421395e57968)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 01, 2017, 05:43:44 PM
Oh, look what's next. would be nice to just hit the whole sheet with a spray can but there are three different colors on there.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1951.jpg&hash=08dcfd385acd9abe507e4f10bb4bba1180451f81)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ACL1504 on January 01, 2017, 05:48:40 PM
Andy,

Great job, but Oh boy, look at all those parts. Window frames, rafters, corner trim and etc.

Just think how wonderful it will look when finished.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: postalkarl on January 02, 2017, 07:43:23 AM
Hi andy:

Looking great so far. I agree with Tom. Have fun with all those parts. Will be following along.

Karl
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 05, 2017, 07:10:58 PM
Just so no one thinks I quit on this, about half the windows done.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1952.jpg&hash=2aed539648fade6b54289fa54f7e618ca1dc5a20)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: postalkarl on January 06, 2017, 07:59:04 AM
Hi Andy:

Looks like you are changing the color scheme. Good for you. I'm still watching. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Karl

Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 06, 2017, 07:19:21 PM
Quote from: postalkarl on January 06, 2017, 07:59:04 AM
Hi Andy:

Looks like you are changing the color scheme. Good for you. I'm still watching. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Karl

Thanks for stopping in Karl, I thought I would see what a different color scheme would look like.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 07, 2017, 08:19:45 PM
Windows, doors and trim all on, next up is the front porch.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1953.jpg&hash=f8e5036997f0a8e7e795f3b435a005ef055dd0ec)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Twopoint2 on January 08, 2017, 10:32:24 AM
Nice job on the build Andy looks great.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: jimmillho on January 08, 2017, 11:05:35 AM
That looks really good Andy.  Great job.

Jim
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 08, 2017, 01:10:53 PM
Thanks guy's for looking in. It's coming along with a lot of extra work. I am not to impressed with this kit or maybe I am just used to scratchbuilding. Some parts cut out of square, slots in the wrong place or not big enough, assembled parts won't go together square, the stick on parts won't hold at all need to be glued, trim parts cut the wrong size. Maybe I am not suited for kitbuilding, I would think things would be thought out a little better. But hey it still is a neat looking house.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 08, 2017, 01:28:19 PM
Front porch is on, the instructions wanted the steps added now but I am leaving them off till last, I know they would just get knocked off. Next up is the rear deck, kitchen door steps, and side awning brackets.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1954.jpg&hash=80a745d7e986ea6598bb566fda68b59275c5b725)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 13, 2017, 08:07:53 PM
Rear deck has been added, Starting the roofing, also while gluing shingles I will be making curtains

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1955.jpg&hash=3671d1ba1552a0b79d80c78395d22b47174bf708)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Raymond Gardner on January 13, 2017, 08:30:26 PM
I've been eyeballing this kit. I'll be following your progress
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 14, 2017, 05:21:29 PM
Raymond, thanks for stopping in. Keep an eye on my posting here, this kit has a lot of problems that I am trying to work out, fixed a few of them so far. I will keep you posted.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: bparrish on January 14, 2017, 06:13:55 PM
Andy...

At the risk of being critical and not knowing the instructions or floor plan for this structure...

In the photo above, under the words "making curtains", there a gable end.  Is the lap siding on the correct side of the reinforcing pieces that you have blacked out?

I can't see enough to be sure........ just a question.

Either way this is a really cool build.

thanx
Bob
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: postalkarl on January 14, 2017, 06:58:46 PM
Hi andy:

Very nicely done so far. You are doing an excellent job with blue. It is a tough color to use. You seem to have it down pat.

karl
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 14, 2017, 07:13:47 PM
Quote from: bparrish on January 14, 2017, 06:13:55 PM
Andy...

At the risk of being critical and not knowing the instructions or floor plan for this structure...

In the photo above, under the words "making curtains", there a gable end.  Is the lap siding on the correct side of the reinforcing pieces that you have blacked out?

I can't see enough to be sure........ just a question.

Either way this is a really cool build.



thanx
Bob

Bob, thanks for keeping a watchful eye. That is an inside wall made to hold up the roof section. The house foot print is T shaped
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 14, 2017, 07:18:02 PM
Quote from: postalkarl on January 14, 2017, 06:58:46 PM
Hi andy:

Very nicely done so far. You are doing an excellent job with blue. It is a tough color to use. You seem to have it down pat.

karl

Thanks Karl
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on January 30, 2017, 08:31:25 PM
Almost done roofing, just the tower left..

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1956.jpg&hash=ee8ca8dd171636950e5c3d8f0acafaaeb693561c)

Has anyone else built a kit that has given you so much trouble and was made so bad that all you wanted to do was finish it and get it over with?
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Janbouli on January 31, 2017, 08:33:07 AM
Had that several times , I am building the Dubois House from Laser Art at the moment and it doesn't fit as well as I am used to from them either. But that is in N-scale and while building it I get the feeling they made some mistakes while transferring it from H0 into N-scale .
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 01, 2017, 08:26:07 PM
After about an hour and a half of messing with the front bay window I have come to the conclusion that the front wall was cut about a 1/16 to short. the tabs on the side pieces didn't fit the slot, broke one trying to sand it down. Took all five pieces and threw them in the trash. I am now scratch building a new bay window.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Janbouli on February 02, 2017, 05:31:46 PM
Quote from: ak-milw on February 01, 2017, 08:26:07 PM
After about an hour and a half of messing with the front bay window I have come to the conclusion that the front wall was cut about a 1/16 to short. the tabs on the side pieces didn't fit the slot, broke one trying to sand it down. Took all five pieces and threw them in the trash. I am now scratch building a new bay window.

Coincidentally , I am having problems with the bay window on the Dubois house too, not their strongest point we may presume.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 02, 2017, 08:50:17 PM
Quote from: Janbouli on February 02, 2017, 05:31:46 PM
Quote from: ak-milw on February 01, 2017, 08:26:07 PM
After about an hour and a half of messing with the front bay window I have come to the conclusion that the front wall was cut about a 1/16 to short. the tabs on the side pieces didn't fit the slot, broke one trying to sand it down. Took all five pieces and threw them in the trash. I am now scratch building a new bay window.

Coincidentally , I am having problems with the bay window on the Dubois house too, not their strongest point we may presume.

I totally agree!
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: postalkarl on February 03, 2017, 07:35:55 AM
Hi Andy:

Looks good so far. Sorry to hear of your dilemma. I'm sure the scratch built version will be just fine.

Karl
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Mkrailway on February 04, 2017, 08:24:12 AM
Andy, I had the same issue building Campbell's Grandma house.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: bparrish on February 04, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Andy...

Now I have it....... that piece that was yelling at me was just an interior support and they had you use a scrap of ship lap siding for the part.  Never to be seen again.

Again.......... great structure.

thanx
Bob
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 04, 2017, 07:31:37 PM
Quote from: bparrish on February 04, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Andy...

Now I have it....... that piece that was yelling at me was just an interior support and they had you use a scrap of ship lap siding for the part.  Never to be seen again.

Again.......... great structure.

thanx
Bob

you got it Bob
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 04, 2017, 07:49:41 PM
The front bay is attached and the tower roof is finished. The original bay window that came with the kit had angled walls, I just built mine straight. Also the window was a plain Rectangle, for some reason I got an extra peaked window so I used that instead. Working on the last piece of roofing now.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1957.jpg&hash=91067931ee3f5c2e3a27ad835be102938b8d134a)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Twopoint2 on February 05, 2017, 08:11:12 AM
Almost done and looking good Andy.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: MAP on February 05, 2017, 09:32:23 AM
Looking really good Andy.  Even with all of the hurdles you encountered you've done a great job in doing work-arounds.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: S&S RR on February 05, 2017, 10:45:23 AM
Andy


The build is coming out very nice.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 05, 2017, 12:09:12 PM
Thanks you Sir's, just trying to get it done.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Jerry on February 05, 2017, 12:35:48 PM
Hey Andy that looks pretty good.

Jerry
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 05, 2017, 06:30:49 PM
Thanks Jerry

calling this done for now, maybe a little light weathering before it goes on the layout.

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1958.jpg&hash=ade490cc60d3eef9b78d8acfcd2c08a174618678)

(https://modelersforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff373%2Fsteammodeler%2FAndy%2520folder%2Ftower%2520house%2FDSCF1959.jpg&hash=68aa1af89daced792507758a9004579d3230cdca)

now to get the layout ready.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: postalkarl on February 06, 2017, 07:43:39 AM
Hi Andy:

Looks just great. Beautiful Victorian paint scheme also.

Karl
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: tom.boyd.125 on February 06, 2017, 11:37:35 AM
Andy,
YOU did a great job on this kit ! Thanks for sharing the construction hurdles that were included in the box. Will make a nice addition to your Milwaukee Road empire.
Tommy

Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: bparrish on February 06, 2017, 01:23:51 PM
Andy...

Very cool

Thanx
Bob
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on February 06, 2017, 02:22:06 PM
Looks great, Andy.  nice color scheme.

Jeff
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 06, 2017, 06:59:24 PM
Karl, Tom, Bob and Jeff,
Thank you very much. If this was my first kit ever I think I would never buy another. But seeing I have built a few other kits I think this one was just a bad apple. Thanks again for all the  great comments and questions.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ACL1504 on February 07, 2017, 07:22:33 AM
Andy,

I've never been a big fan of Laser Art type construction. They do have some very nice kits but I'm just not crazy about how they go together.

You did an excellent job on this one. Well done, well done.

Tom ;D
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: GPdemayo on February 07, 2017, 08:56:16 AM
Looks good Andy..... 8)
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: jrmueller on February 07, 2017, 10:17:07 AM
Real nice Victorian Andy.  I like that it is not heavily weathered like many structures; some residents keep things well maintained.  Jim
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 07, 2017, 07:16:16 PM
Thanks for the comments, Tom and Greg.
Title: Re: Laser Art kit - Tower House
Post by: ak-milw on February 07, 2017, 07:22:23 PM
Quote from: jrmueller on February 07, 2017, 10:17:07 AM
Real nice Victorian Andy.  I like that it is not heavily weathered like many structures; some residents keep things well maintained.  Jim

Thanks Jim, Before it goes on the layout I might give it a light dusting, It will sit in the better part of town where things were kept up.